Preparation of amphiphilic composite and removal of oil and hexavalent chromium from wastewater

A new composite for water treatment was prepared by melt blend for oil and hexavalent chromium absorption. Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) was the matrix, calcinatory Fe2O3 and anion-exchange resin 201x7 were the fillers. This composite can suspend in water-oil contact (WOC) and absorb oils and hexavalent chromium in wastewater simultaneously. The absorbencies of composites changed greatly with various ratios of calcinatory Fe2O3 and anion-exchange resin 201x7. The results showed that the oil absorbencies increased continuously and hexavalent chromium absorbencies were step-down as calcinatory Fe2O3 loadings from 13 to 19%. The composite can adsorb oils and hexavalent chromium simultaneously. The optimized proportion of calcinatory Fe2O3 and anion-exchange resin 201x7 in composite was found when the absorbencies of oils and hexavalent chromium reaching the maximum simultaneously. This composite is an inexpensive, convenient and high efficiency material for removing oils and hexavalent chromium from wastewater.